Together! Volume Two Number Three May 2014 New Millennium Fifth Anniversary Edition
A Journal about the Ministry of New Millennium Church
Affirming Our Oneness and Purpose We praise and worship God together. We petition God, together.
We live for God, in every breath and heartbeat,
We proclaim God, together.
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
We welcome all persons in God’s love, together.
as followers of Jesus Christ, together.
MORE THAN IMAGINABLE We had no idea, five years ago, what God would do with those of us from Mount Pleasant Baptist Church who began meeting in our home each week to pray, study, share, and affirm one another. But from our first session on April 8, 2009, something was different. I realize now that we were being prepared to be what we had never been before. By May 2009, we reached consensus about becoming a ministry defined by the liberating love of God. We initially planned to meet on Saturday evenings and had been given permission to do so at Arkansas Baptist College. Then Ray Higgins of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas introduced us to Bob Kessinger, the lay leader at Lakeshore Drive Baptist Church, and we sensed that we could have a more active presence on the Lakeshore campus. By mid-May, Lakeshore formally invited us to share space there. We had our first mid-week gathering there on May 20, 2009. On May 27, we formally held a chartering meeting to form New Millennium Church, the name suggested by Suzette Cannon. And we began worshipping under that name publicly with great joy on the last Sunday in May 2009. We didn't know who God would send into our fellowship, but God did. We didn't know what God would lead us to do in ministry, but God knew.
We didn't imagine how our new church start would be welcomed and encouraged by affiliation with the Cooperative Baptist Tom Logue of Lakeshore Drive Baptist Church practically begged me to make my office in the space he occupied. Pat and I drove to Houston in July of 2009 to attend our first Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly not knowing we would meet Elizabeth Richards, a CBF field worker posted in Jordan. We left Houston with new energy and new names to remember thanks to the people Ray Higgins helped us meet. Second Baptist Church in Little Rock invited us to attend and share in a summer series on ministry and community issues they called "Sweet Justice." We didn't know that would lead to a joint study with Second members of Grace Matters by Chris Rice. We didn't know the Holy Spirit would grab us and challenge us as we began reading Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited. But we were grabbed and challenged to see the glaring difference between Christianity and what Thurman called "the religion of Jesus." I'll never forget the feeling that came over me when I turned on the answer machine in the study one summer afternoon in 2009 and (Continued on page 2)
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MORE THAN IMAGINABLE (continued) heard the rich deliberate voice of Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., encouraging me. When Dr. Smith was invited to be the convocation speaker at Philander Smith College the next month, we invited him to preach at New Millennium. We had no idea that God was opening more doors! We didn't know God would use our new church start to welcome Dr. Smith, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. and Dr. Iva Carruthers of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference to inspire our ministry vision. We didn't know that our fellowship with Rev. Steve Copley would lead to New Millennium welcoming Rev. Dr. James Forbes to preach about worker justice. We didn't know that Robert Parham of the Baptist Center for Ethics (Ethics Daily) would help us host a screening of Baptists Without Borders and an inter-faith conversation about immigration and the gospel of Jesus. We didn't realize five years ago how God would bring us to know Bale Elementary School and become involved with that learning community of teachers, parents, students, and families. We didn't know how summer enrichment learning efforts would touch children, parents, and affect us. Dr. J. Alfred Smith introduced us to Dr. Allan Boesak. We were blessed to welcome Allan, Elna, and Andrea Boesak to Little Rock and host Allan's captivating preaching and teaching about the radical reconciliation made possible by the love of God. Did you know that Dr. J. Alfred Smith baptized Allan Boesak as an adult! We never imagined that God would lead our congregation to spend several weeks during the early months of 2011 praying and studying together about discrimination and oppression based on sexual orientation. God knew! When William Lindsey and Stephen Schafer, two Catholic theologians who have been domestic partners for over forty years, shared their faith and life journey with us, our eyes were opened and our hearts were touched.
Who could have known then that Bill and Steve would be able to be married in Arkansas before New Millennium was five years old? Who could have imagined that I would be able to solemnize their marriage? God knew all this, and more, was possible through what God would do in, with, through, and sometimes in spite of us. God knew this, and God knew us! I thank God for the fellowship shared with Rev. Leroy James, Rev. Kathy Findley, Rev. Demetria Edwards, Rev. Anika Whitfield, and Rev. Paul Fray, my colleagues in ordained ministry. Thank God for using our fellowship to help raise awareness about how Latino children are bullied in public schools. Thank God for Dr. Mindy Fullilove and the help she gave us in responding to the threat of neighborhood dislocation posed by the Little Rock Technology Park. Thank God we are known as allies of men, women, and youth who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. Thank God we were able to share in helping choose Suzii Paynter as the first woman to lead the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Thank God for Cindy Boyles, Teresa Webb, Barbara Hill, LaVante Pettigrew, Earl Watson, and Elliott Griffen. Thank God for Belynda Jeffries, Joyce Williams, Suzette Cannon, Deborah Givens, Tonya Washington, and Dorothy McFadden. They have blessed us in music and song. Thank God for Roger Robinson who helped nurture Albert Thomas and Brandon Thomas into creating a media ministry. Thank God for Robert Williams who has helped us at every turn with Internet and other technology issues. (Continued on page 8)
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CELEBRATING THE LIFEBLOOD OF NEW MILLENNIUM: ITS PEOPLE As we celebrate the five year anniversary of New Millennium, we also celebrate the lifeblood of the church, the people who make the church what it is. As we interviewed some of the members, we encountered charter members and members who joined in subsequent years. Together, their stories weave a rich tapestry of a special church on a special journey. Here we share this journey with our readers.
“As far as my hopes for NMC,” Deborah shared, “I hope and pray to be back in the office that Pastor asked me to serve in . . . that I continue to grow in the passion, hopes and dreams that another five years can bring about. I hope and pray that God will continue to bless and fill our Pastor with His Word to feed our congregation, to set us on fire for what is right and just . . . I want to be a part of that.” “Why do I fellowship at New Millennium Church? This is where I will become what God will have me to be, this is where I choose to serve the Lord.”
Deborah Givens - 2009 In September of 2009, Deborah Givens began a quest to find a new church home. It was, for her, a labor of faith in following God's leadership. She shared with us a conversation she had with Pastor Griffen during that time, in which he said to her: "Deborah, you cannot go where God does not lead." “I will never forget those words,” said Deborah, “because I desired so much to be God lead, especially at this point in my life.” When Deborah visited New Millennium, she found what she was looking for. Of that day, she said, “I have been at NMC ever since, being filled, broken, molded and joyously blessed.” “NMC is so much more than I could have imagined five years ago,” she added. “NMC is rooted and firmly planted in it's commitment to justice, love and equality. Not only in this community but in this city and beyond. It makes me so excited and nervous to be apart of something so important and so large.”
Teri Jeffries - 2009 “I made a decision to become a part of New Millennium In the year of 2009,” Teri shared. She explained that there had been so much turmoil with her current church that she felt as if her life was spinning out of control. She continued, “Being a member there for many years, I really was pretty content. But sometimes you want more knowledge of different biblical teachings and understandings in life.” Teri was a charter member, and she said that it was a new experience in knowing that she, and several others, had actually started a new chapter in their lives. Teri shared that she would like to see our membership bloom even further “with more musical instruments and talents that can take you to another level of being.” She shared another dream for New Millennium, “that all ideas will be welcomed without criticism or looked over. If more children can come into our fold, perhaps we will have someone that can carry on the legacy of our beginning.”
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Dr. Patricia Griffen - 2009 Dr. Patricia Griffen was a 2009 Charter member of New Millennium. She shares her experience with these words, “This was my first experience with chartering a new start congregation. I am reminded of my family legacy with my paternal grandmother and father who were part of chartering a new church in my home town. It has been an awesome responsibility as in the past I have always been a member of a congregation with the infrastructure in place . . . This was an opportunity to define the infrastructure, mission and purpose of the church.” Charter Members are in a unique position to have seen the evolution of the church from the very beginning. When asked if new Millennium, five years later, is what she expected it to be, Pat shares some of the milestones most meaningful to her. “I am so grateful that we have been able to sustain and maintain as a new start, a brand new congregation.” She adds that the church has received tremendous support from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship nationally and from Dr. Ray Higgins and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas. “We have also received support from other church leaders from around the country such as Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Rev. J. Alfred Smith and others who have been on this journey a long time. This has certainly been an enriching experience. We have been tremendously blessed by our Minister of Worship, Rev. Kathy Findley, and also by the continued support and wisdom of Rev. Leroy James.”
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As for the second five years, Pat has specific hopes, dreams and prayers. “My prayer for NMC is sustainability and growth of our congregation with young families joining. Secondly, my hope is for church leadership development with the upcoming generation. She added, “The emphasis on social justice, the Social Gospel interpretation and application from the scriptures has provided a solid foundation for the ministry and vision of New Millennium Church. We have been supported in shaping the personality of NMC by our affiliation with the Proctor Conference and CBF. I am grateful for the blessings God has bestowed upon us these five years and look forward to the journey ahead.”
Griffin Stockley - 2011 Griff Stockley is an individual who is completely committed to social justice for all people. In fact, Griff cited respect for Pastor Wendell Griffen's commitment to social justice as one reason he chose to come to New Millennium. “Three years ago I started coming to NMC because I felt there must be more to life than I was getting out of it at the time, Griff said. Like other members of New Millennium who are on a life-long quest to comprehend the mystery of faith, Griff describes his own faith as a mystery. “For me faith is truly a mystery, ' he said, “but I wouldn't come if I didn't find the experience meaningful.”
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Suzette Cannon - 2009 Suzette Cannon shared her experience of becoming a part of New Millennium with these words: “I became one of the New Millennium charter members in May of 2009. Prior to that, I had rejoined the church I had grown up in after moving back to Little Rock from California in 1998. The pastor of that church was retiring and I was appointed head of the pastoral search committee. Being on that committee opened my eyes to the dearth of truly anointed, qualified preachers, but since I knew one in Little Rock, Rev. Wendell Griffen, I was excited to be a part of his new congregation.” She shared that she is a proud New Millennium charter member. “Those were exciting times, different from anything I've ever experienced. We first met in Rev. Griffen's home for Bible study only, but several of us enjoyed it so much due to the depth of the scriptural teachings and the fellowship, we wanted to continue it in a formal setting. It seemed that God made a way for us to do that by bringing Rev. Griffen in contact with Dr. Ray Higgins of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas.
“My hopes are that we continue to be fed spiritually and that we continue to be agents of God for those who are oppressed, downtrodden and have their backs against the wall like Jesus calls us to do. I pray that New Millennium continues to evolve, led by the Holy Spirit, and that we don't sink into tradition and become just another Baptist church.” Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands O prosper the work of our hands! (Psalm 90:17).
Kathy Findley - 2013 Having come to New Millennium in 2013, one might call me a new member,” Kathy Findley explained. In length of time, she may well be considered a “newbie.” But in acceptance into New Millennium's community of love, Kathy says that she feels like she has been at NMC for a very long time. “I came to New Millennium only nine months ago,” she said, “in the middle of a time of grief and loss in my life. And I found New Millennium to be a place of caring, compassion and understanding.” Kathy added that she found in New Millennium a people on a quest for social and economic justice, diversity, respect and peacemaking. “It was a welcoming place,” she said, “that called out to me, 'You belong here.'”
“New Millennium has more than lived up to my expectations! “ Suzette explained. “I revel in the joy of a non-traditional Baptist church without all of the “annual days” and traditions that don't further the kingdom of God.”
“So I stayed, eventually finding my calling in the ministry of worship,” she shared, “a ministry that means a great deal to me and has always been a part of my ordination and call to ministry more than 20 years ago.”
“ I never imagined that we would have had the consistent deep spiritual teachings we continue to have, the anointed, dynamic, social justice oriented speakers who have visited us, nor the exposure to various progressive groups.”
Kathy found New Millennium Church to be a place that highly values worship, along with their value of justice, diversity, peace, and education. “They are informed and proactive people who believe that God wants to change the world through them,” Kathy said. “I want to be a part of that.”
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Vallory Tillman - 2010 Vallory became a member of New Millennium in 2010. She explains the reasons she joined with these words. “My main concern was growing in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ.” “ I was seeking a congregation that was more spiritually filled.” She continued, “My expectation as far as spiritual growth has been increasing as Pastor Griffen's sermons are becoming more inspiring.” Vallory has some hopes and dreams for New Millennium and for herself. “I hope and dream daily that I make a substantial contribution both spiritually and financially. It is my prayer that we will all work harder to increase the membership.” Vallory spoke about the challenge of the changing technological society. “It is my hope,” she said, “that we become more knowledgeable and steadfast.” She spoke about gaining more understanding in how to cope with societal changes and added that it was most important to “develop more love for our fellow man.”
Ora Stevens - 2009 “I remember quite well that meeting and the thousands of emotions I felt at the time. It was a welcome new beginning for me and I shall always cherish my fond memories at New Millennium. I can't think of a single time I did not feel a deep abiding joy in sitting in the 'my pew' at New Millennium feeling that special kind of religious freedom. Thank you Pastor Griffen for leading like Christ.”
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Joyce Williams - 2009 Joyce Williams became a charter member of New Millennium Church on May 27, 2009. “A small group of us had been meeting for bible study and it was clear that this was an opportunity for me to experience a spiritual rebirth. I was one of twelve people who prayerfully joined this new congregation.” Joyce continued, “This was an opportunity for my church worship experiences to become more than traditional ones I had experienced and observed all my life. I was excited and open to strengthening my faith and courage. I knew I had to take the step to learn more. It was a true revival experience.” Joyce shared that her zeal and spiritual growth has deepened and broadened beyond any growth during all the years of her religious and spiritual life. She added, “A new awakening has taken place inside of me. The breadth and depth of my learning has been heightened from ministry by our own pastor, Rev. Wendell L. Griffen and the ongoing challenge to broaden by studying books by authors and ministers like Dr. Samuel DeWitt Proctor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Allan Boesak, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Rev. Howard Thurman, Dr. James Cone and Paul Tillich to name a few.” She said that this kind of educational experience, as well as attending conferences, meetings, community programs and studying scripture in context of these studies and life experiences, has been transformational and life-changing. “It is my hope that we, at New Millennium, will grow as followers of Jesus Christ and be a catalyst and strong influence to inspire others to follow Jesus in a bold radical way.”
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PHOTO MILESTONES: the First Five Years
Cindy Boyles
Rev. Griffen - 2013
Barbara Faye Hill - 2010
William Robinson - 2013 LaVante Pettigrew
Dr. Alan Boesak
LaShonda Wilbon Dr. Pat Griffen and Bale Staff - 2010 Drs. Bo Prosser and Ray Higgins - 2009
Dr. Mindy Fullilove 2012
New Millennium and Bale Elementary School partnership - 2010
Reception for Dr. Jeremiah Wright - 2010
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MORE THAN IMAGINABLE Thank God for Bob Kessinger, Cindy Boyles, and Doyne Elder who have been our contacts with Lakeshore on space and campus concerns. Thanks also to LaShonda "Shon" Wilbon for helping
us begin to launch a social media presence, and for William Robinson for helping preserve and extend it Thank God for Regina Hunt, Joyce Williams, Ora Stevens, Pat Mackey, Causley Edwards, Albert Thomas, and Ken Greenwood. Joyce, Ora, Pat, and Causley were our first trustees. As Pat, Causley, and Ora moved, we've been blessed by the insights and efforts of Regina, Ken, and Albert. I thank God for Joyce Williams and her persistent way of helping us strive for "higher ground.� Thank God for Pat Griffen who hosted our first meetings, encouraged me as pastor, and has prayerfully facilitated our mission efforts with CBFAR, Bale Elementary School, the Center for Women in Transition (CWIT), and the families we've met through our summer enrichment efforts.. Thank God for Suzette Cannon's many photographs, for working with LaToya Goree to help develop our congregational logo, and for masterfully helping us get a website administrator in D'Etta Rassier.
Connect with us on Facebook: Https://www.facebook.com/pages /New-Millennium-Church-Little-
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Thank God we are partnered with Rev. Kathy Findley and Safe Places of Little Rock to support victims of abuse and violence, and thank God for her genius as our minister of worship and editor of Together!, our congregational newsletter. And I thank God for all the people who have prayed for us, encouraged us, send email messages, notes, and done other things to affirm what God is doing in us. Thank God for all these and so many other experiences, relationships, and lessons we've shared since the Holy Spirit inspired us five years ago to begin a journey more wonderful than anyone could have imagined. Truly, we share the doxology exclaimed by St. Paul who wrote: Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. [Ephesians 3:20-21] Wendell L. Griffen
Volume 2, Number 3 New Millennium Church 21 Lakeshore Drive Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 (501) 562-9244 WEB SITE . Www.NewMillenniumChurch.us E-MAIL . Together@NewMillenniumChurch.us PASTOR . Rev. Wendell Griffen EDITOR . Rev. Kathy Manis Findley Sunday Worship Service . 9:00am Sunday School . 10:45